Do the Penguins make the playoffs in 2023-2024?
- Thread starter Empoleon8771
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bert
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Well hopefully that back end and goaltending holds up as their offense should be good enough.
Kane looked cooked last season but maybe that was in part injury related?
When I say cooked not Jeff carter cooked but his offense doesn't make up for the other deficiencies in his game anymore to be a legit top 6 guy on a SC team.
Nothing is for sure in the east aside from maybe 5 or 6 sure bets the rest are a crapshoot.
SeanMoneyHands
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- Apr 18, 2019
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If they stay healthy I think they finish at the top of the Eastern standings next year. I expect Dubas to make a couple big trades in the season for winger upgrades.
They're the only team with average age > 30. And 2 years older than everyone in the East. If they manage to stay healthy I think they can; that's not certainty.
TheStatican
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- Mar 14, 2012
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I kind of see them as being a Bruins-lite. Many were actually forecasting that the veteran Bruins might not make the playoffs last season and low and behold they not only easily make it but they went out and set the team records for points and wins.... only to flame out quickly in those playoffs. Not that I expect the Pens to set any regular season records, but I think they'll rank higher than expected around or approaching the 110 point range. But I worry that they'll flame out in the playoffs just as well due to the age factor, so I sort of hope I'm wrong. I'll be happy if they just make the playoffs healthy.
bert
Registered User
Well injuries could derail almost any team however I think they're a much much better team than last year.
The things we know in the east in my opinion.
Toronto, New Jersey and Carolina are in for sure.
Montreal and Philly are out.
In the big meaty middle I think they're one of the top teams but yes they could miss.
bert
Registered User
They're d Is unreal. You've made many proclamations as I am reading through this thread. Not sure they are as iron clad as you seem to think. Hf boards loves deciding that a great veteran is done after a bad season. It often doesn't prove to be true. Alot of posters don't understand the impact injuries can have. And great players ability to bounce back. I see it on the sens board all the time.
I have to say in Crosby's career I've rarely ever been disappointed by him in the regular season, since he's always been so consistent. It's only happened twice in fact.
First time is 2015 when he lost the Art Ross at the very end. Last game of the season he's in a 3 way tie for Art Ross (he did play ~7 games less), but lucky him he's facing the worst team in league, one of the all-times worst teams in Buffalo. Should be some easy points to win the Ross....but nope, he's shutout, and loses Ross to Benn. Penguins are also out in a whimper in round 1 in barely 5 games.
And....last season. I've always touted how great Crosby/Malkin were in always delivering when needed to make the playoffs - but last year's fiasco is all on them. They play the two worst teams in the league to finish the year - only 1 win and they're qualified for playoffs - and both those worst teams are in full tank mode for Bedard - there rarely would have been a situation in hockey history where for a single regular season game one team wants to win so badly (just 1 win for playoffs) vs lose so badly (lose for Bedard)....and they somehow lost both games. Really crappy showing from Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh playoff streak is over.
In 2015 - they made a bunch of roster/management changes for next year. Came back and won back to back cups.
This off-season - a bunch of off-season changes. New GM. A huge splash acquiring Erik Karlsson (who is a high risk/high reward acquisition). I can legitimately see Pittsburgh turning it around and being a top team in the league this year. They'll be motivated as hell to roar back.
I say yes they make the playoffs - they make it as a top 2 seed in metro - and I have them as one of my top 4 most likely teams to win the Stanley Cup this year.
First time is 2015 when he lost the Art Ross at the very end. Last game of the season he's in a 3 way tie for Art Ross (he did play ~7 games less), but lucky him he's facing the worst team in league, one of the all-times worst teams in Buffalo. Should be some easy points to win the Ross....but nope, he's shutout, and loses Ross to Benn. Penguins are also out in a whimper in round 1 in barely 5 games.
And....last season. I've always touted how great Crosby/Malkin were in always delivering when needed to make the playoffs - but last year's fiasco is all on them. They play the two worst teams in the league to finish the year - only 1 win and they're qualified for playoffs - and both those worst teams are in full tank mode for Bedard - there rarely would have been a situation in hockey history where for a single regular season game one team wants to win so badly (just 1 win for playoffs) vs lose so badly (lose for Bedard)....and they somehow lost both games. Really crappy showing from Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh playoff streak is over.
In 2015 - they made a bunch of roster/management changes for next year. Came back and won back to back cups.
This off-season - a bunch of off-season changes. New GM. A huge splash acquiring Erik Karlsson (who is a high risk/high reward acquisition). I can legitimately see Pittsburgh turning it around and being a top team in the league this year. They'll be motivated as hell to roar back.
I say yes they make the playoffs - they make it as a top 2 seed in metro - and I have them as one of my top 4 most likely teams to win the Stanley Cup this year.
Their defense looks goo on paper but it's not unreal it's not Boston for example.
You are correct that some people might write a player off after a bad season but the opposite is true that one outlier season by Karlsson doesn't erase the last 5 years or most of his career being a high event player on the ice.
The big question is can either Graves or Petterson handle the increased workload and the Pens bottom 6 especially trotting out carter as their 3rd line center.
I have the Pens making the playoffs but anyone expecting Letang/Karlsson combining for 150+ points is dreaming IMO.
Toronto, NJ and Carolina are probably locks and other teams like Boston, Florida, TB and Buffalo probably have a better shot and there are the 2 NY teams with awesome goalies and one season Ottawa will finally click too so the competition is extremely tight.
Tufted Titmouse
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- Apr 5, 2022
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Everyone who is saying yes should also post who they think loses their spot to Pittsburgh.
For me, the locks are:
1. NJ
2. Carolina
then the teams I like more than Pitt are:
3. Tampa
4. NYR
5. Toronto
that leaves room for 3 of:
Pitt
Ottawa
Buffalo
NYI
Boston
Florida
Which 3 miss?
Maybe someone like Columbus fights it's way into the convo too.
For me, the locks are:
1. NJ
2. Carolina
then the teams I like more than Pitt are:
3. Tampa
4. NYR
5. Toronto
that leaves room for 3 of:
Pitt
Ottawa
Buffalo
NYI
Boston
Florida
Which 3 miss?
Maybe someone like Columbus fights it's way into the convo too.
I agree with alot here starting at
3 TB still have an excellent mix of forwards 2 great Dmen and a goalie that is a difference maker
4. NYR Great back end and goalie and probably can score enough to challenge strongly for a spot.
5. toronto has one of the ebst forward groups in the NHL.
All 3 of these teams are heavily favored over the Pens and now for the rest
Ottawa- young team getting better just need goaltending and some confidence;
Buffalo- great mix of young forwards and defense also need goaltending but Levi might be the answer.
NYI- great team play and they will be in the mix even if they aren't serious SC contenders.
Boston- great back end and goaltending and a decent forward group but the holes at center....?
Florida is a wildcard with some injuries on the back end to start the season and which version of their 2 goalies will be there this year the good or the bad? Still a great set of forwards.
No idea on Columbus when healthy but still missing in their forward group I think.
Montreal is a lottery team again just needs a ton of work and some good complimentary players but who is going to lead this team?
bert
Registered User
Petterson is really solid and I expect him to play with Karlsson to make for a very strong pairing. He is exactly the type of d man Karlsson excels the most playing with.
Letang Graves as your second pairing is very strong. Karlsson went through a let down in his career, I think he is back now and this is the perfect type of environment for him to thrive at this point in his career. The team will play a style that is conducive to his success, playing with Crosby is going to make him even better. Spezza as a familiar face is really going to help with the transition. I am a sens fan I dont like that the Penguins are a much better team this year but its undeniable from my perspective. Being a sens fan we have got a great view of the Penguins they have played 4 times in the playoffs. Karlsson is one of those unique d men that can develop chemistry with centermen with Malkin and Crosby who are very cerebral like Karlsson should be amazing outlets for him to push the puck up the ice much like he had with prime Spezza. I think a move like this can really re invigorate a veteran team like Pittsburgh. Its going to bring new life to Crosby and Malkins careers.
To me there are only 3 locks for the playoffs in the east and thats Jersey, Toronto and Carolina. After that its going to be a dog fight between Pittsburgh, Boston, Tampa, Florida, NYR, Buffalo, Washington, NYI, Ottawa and Detroit. Columbus may take a big step, I like the moves but I dont see them as a playoff team yet. Philly and Montreal have no shot. Out of all those teams I like Pittsburgh and Tampa the most as playoff teams so the last 3 spots are likely between the rest. NYR looked really really slow in the playoffs last year I dunno, not enough puck to go around? Maybe they bounce back but I didnt love what I saw.
Luigi Lemieux
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- Sep 26, 2003
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Penguins won the division in 2021 and this roster is better. Imo pens are back to cup contender.
Luigi Lemieux
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Basically adding another Crosby/Malkin level player to the roster. People are underestimating the impact Karlsson is going to have imo.
DearDiary
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- Aug 29, 2010
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The average age is 29.5, how did you come up with >30? Are you not including O'Conner on your roster?
JaegerDice
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- Dec 26, 2014
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Yes.
But, short of more additions, they lack the depth for a long run.
This team feels as top heavy as the 2014 and 2015 squads to me.
But, short of more additions, they lack the depth for a long run.
This team feels as top heavy as the 2014 and 2015 squads to me.
